When your elderly loved one starts to need help, you’ll likely face some difficult questions. Of course you want what’s best for the person who raised you, but the reality is that you likely have a job and other commitments that prevent you from providing full-time care.
When making decisions about how to care for elders, what they want should also factor into the equation. According to a 2018 AARP national survey, 76% of older Americans want to remain in their homes. The reasons behind this number aren’t hard to spot.
- In-Home Care Is More Personalized
People are generally most comfortable in their own homes, and in-home elder care services Westchester County have skyrocketed accordingly. With in-home care, a person can remain in their own house or apartment, where they are surrounded by the memories and belongings that are special to them. This is a far cry from a care facility, where space for personal effects is limited. In-home care also allows for a choice in both the care provider and the services received.
- In-Home Care Is Customizable
In-home care covers the basics of nursing and rehabilitation, but it also provides a barrage of other services. In-home caregivers can shop, pay bills, care for pets and do other light chores that will keep elderly loved ones feeling organized and independent. In-home caregivers can also provide companionship by playing games or going on walks with their charges. There is no “one size fits all” approach to in-home care.
- In-Home Care Tends To Be Less Expensive
The average monthly cost of a nursing home is $6,844-$7,698, while the average monthly cost of in-home care is $3,813. Keep in mind that nursing homes are staffed around the clock, while most in-home costs are based on a 44-hour week, but as long as the senior is in fairly good health and has a means of contacting help if something goes wrong, it can make sound financial sense not to pay for 24/7 care.
Choosing how to care for an older relative is one of the most difficult choices that a person will make, but the increased availability of quality in-home elder care can make the decision easier.